How long will the meat last?
 

How long will a deer last if i pack one with ice and surround it with ice its about 55-65 degrees out??

RE: How long will the meat last?
 

Skin it debone it and put it on ice, then however long you want.

RE: How long will the meat last?
 

Key to the puzzle is getting the body temperature down. If you can get an animal to 55-65 degrees your laughing, as when you shoot them they are much warmer. I would FD and skin ASAP, then let hang to bring down the temperature. In the shade as direct sunlight defeats the purpose, once the game has sometime to set up and cool naturally if required debone and ice. Hot boning is the last measure I will use, if so I make sure the meat is spread out and cooled individually vs in large blocks. With a deer this is doable but larger game it is very difficult if it must sit on ice for any length of time. If just for travel quartered and iced would also work.

RE: How long will the meat last?
 

If you just hang a deer and pack it with ice in that kinda whether i would say 3-5hrs before its get dangerous.

RE: How long will the meat last?
 

The danger zone for meat is 40-140 degrees. In that range bacteria will grow. As a rule of thumb, meat can be in that zone for 4 hours max. After that, you are taking your chances.

RE: How long will the meat last?
 

If you get it packed in ice you should be fine, here in GA we rarely have the luxury of having daytime temperatures in the 60s until well into October so getting it iced down is a major goal. Try not to allow the meat to get wet, don't wrap the meat in plastic, but try to insure that the ice is isolated from the meat by either a good solid bag or adequate drainage. There are times when it is impossible to get an animal to a cooler or cut up before the few hours mentioned by several others. Here in GA, as an example, a Bear must be checked in with the DNR before it is cut up. This must be done within 24 hours of it being killed and that can be a problem when the Ranger on duty may be miles away when you call to get somebody to check it in, especially if you have to get the dern thing out of the mountains and into the truck before you can even make the call. Pack the body cavity with as many bags of ice as you can stuff in there and pack some around the outside if you can and hope for the best.

RE: How long will the meat last?
 

If you can find it, dry ice is the answer. Pop some in a paper bag and jam it inside the body cavity. It will cool down the deer (or bear) and yet won't make a wet mess all over the place. Handle it with gloves. It will last quite a while in a good cooler. You can find it for sale at many larger groceries, welding supply places or dairies that do mail order (for sending ice cream through the mail.)

Chubber